Thursday, July 25, 2013

I'm not a Rock

Years ago one of my sisters was struggling through graduate school, feeling very alone and sad. In true little-brother fashion, my solution involved a box of Ho-Hos with the lyrics to Simon and Garfunkel's "I am a Rock" written on it.

I don't remember but suspect Mom did not send my present. Who can deny, though, that life is much easier as a rock. "A rock feels no pain. An island never cries."

Being a rock may be easier, but except for this guy, no person can be a rock.

It is easy when I am able to revel in my own misery -- to believe that my problems are the worst in the world and that nobody knows the troubles I've seen.

But the something happens ... My brother falls, my sister's puppy gets really sick, a friend loses a job. And I am reminded that feeling pain is OK when it is someone you love is hurting.

Yesterday, a friend shared some painful stuff she is going through. Today, I learned another friend just died. Both made me sad. Neither deserves what they are getting/got.

What's this?

A friend of mine and I decided that when you are bitter, you have two options. You can be mean and angry bitter, which begets pity. Or you can be a funny bitter, which inspires laughter, maybe empathy and even learning. It is a very fine line between the two.

I asked my favorite visual artist I am related to to illustrate this. She did an awesome job.It is quite a task. I am definitely bitter. I hope I am funny.